Joel Schumacher‘s legal thriller The Client, which was released in theaters on July 20, 1994, based on John Grisham‘s bestselling novel, is a tense and gripping tale that pits an ordinary child against the formidable forces of the mob and the justice system. It’s a high-stakes drama that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, driven by compelling performances.
The story begins with eleven-year-old Mark Sway (Brad Renfro), a street-smart kid from a troubled family in Memphis. While secretly smoking with his younger brother, Ricky, in the woods, they stumble upon a parked car where a desperate lawyer, Jerome Clifford, is attempting suicide.
Before taking his own life, Clifford reveals a shocking secret to Mark: he knows where the body of a murdered U.S. Senator is buried, and the killer is a notorious mob enforcer named Barry “The Blade” Muldano.
Mark’s life is instantly turned upside down. The FBI, led by the ambitious and media-savvy U.S. Attorney Roy Foltrigg (Tommy Lee Jones), sees Mark as their ticket to bringing down the mob and extracting the truth about the Senator’s murder. Simultaneously, the mob, under the ruthless control of Muldano (Anthony LaPaglia), is desperate to silence Mark before he can reveal their secrets.
Overwhelmed and terrified, Mark seeks help from Reggie Love (Susan Sarandon), a compassionate and determined lawyer who, despite her own personal struggles, takes on his seemingly impossible case for a single dollar.
As Reggie and Mark navigate the dangerous labyrinth of legal procedures and criminal threats, they are pursued by Foltrigg’s relentless questioning and Muldano’s deadly intentions.
The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Mary-Louise Parker as Mark’s mother, Dianne; J.T. Walsh as FBI Special Agent Jason McThune; Anthony Edwards as Clint Von Hooser; Will Patton as Sergeant Hardy; Bradley Whitford as Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Fink; Ossie Davis as Judge Harry Roosevelt; John Diehl as Jack Nance; and William H. Macy as Dr. Greenway.
Tommy Lee Jones in The Client (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Reception for The Client
The Client grossed $17.2 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office behind Forrest Gump ($21.9 million) and True Lies ($20.7 million).
The film grossed $117.6 million worldwide.
Legacy
The Client is an effective translation of Grisham’s signature blend of legal intrigue and suspense to the big screen. It’s a testament to the compelling nature of a seemingly ordinary person caught in extraordinary circumstances. The film is particularly noted for Renfro’s breakout performance, which anchors the emotional core of the story, and the dynamic chemistry between Sarandon and Jones.
While it adheres closely to the Grisham formula, its tight pacing, strong performances, and high-stakes plot ensure its place as a memorable and rewatchable legal thriller that highlights the vulnerability of individuals against powerful systems.
